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Snow blindness is a disease that affects mountain climbers and people exposed to intense ultraviolet radiation. This causes burns to the corneal epithelium and conjunctiva and severe conjunctivitis, causing problems with the eyes and vision. Contrary to its name, however, snow blindness does not cause complete loss of vision.
The causes of snow blindness
Snow blindness most often it is the result of alpine tours and reaching high peaks. In the high mountains, solar radiation is much greater than in the lowlands (at sea level). Ultraviolet radiation increases by about 6-8 percent every 1000 meters above sea level. There is also snow in the high mountains that reflects the sun’s rays, magnifying their impact. Due to the growing ozone hole, this radiation increases with each passing year.
Snow blindness however, it can also happen in low-lying areas, including those where it never snows. It happens, for example, in very sunny areas to people who are not used to such intense light and sunlight, especially if they do not wear sunglasses with UV filters. Snow blindness strong light from the headlamps can also be produced.
Symptoms of snow blindness
Snow blindness appears several to several hours after sunburn. There is then pain in the eyes, which increases when the eyeballs are moved. The pain may be so severe that it causes the eyelids to contract involuntarily. Pain symptoms include: hypersensitivity to light (photophobia), lacrimation, discomfort in the form of sand under the eyelids, redness of the eyes, eyelid swelling and severe headache.
Snow blindness treatment methods
First aid in the event of an appearance snow blindness it consists in placing the patient in a darkened, or at least shaded, place. In high-mountain climbing conditions, it can be a tent. It is also a good idea to cover the eyes of the sick person snow blindness dressing so that they do not get light. The patient should rest and avoid any exposure to light as much as possible. Cold compresses should be applied to swollen and sore eyes, and the eyes should be rinsed frequently with clean, cool water. Pain relievers can be used, such as paracetamol and eye drops, which can also relieve pain. It is recommended that prophylactic use of antibacterial eye drops or eye ointments to avoid infection such as conjunctivitis.
Treatment time snow blindness depends on how severe the burn was. Symptoms in case of minor burns of the eyeballs from UV rays snow blindness they usually disappear after 48-72 hours. If at that time symptoms do not subside, the patient will have to wear special dark glasses for the rest of his life that will protect his eyes from further injuries and visual impairment. One of the known examples of persistent snow blindness there is the case of Wojciech Jaruzelski, whose eyes were burned leading to snow blindness in the taiga, at work involving felling trees. On sunny days, the UV radiation reflected by snow was so strong that the corneal epithelium and conjunctiva were permanently damaged.
Snow blindness prevention
Before snow blindness you can and should protect yourself. The easiest way is to wear sunglasses with a high UVA and UVB (high sunscreen) protection factor. During high mountain tours, it is worth getting special glasses that adjust to the intensity of sunlight and reduce snow glare and reflections. Such specialized mountain glasses also have side shields that additionally protect the eyes from sunlight, and soft temples that allow them to be worn for a long time, even when it is cloudy – high in the mountains, UV radiation is so large that clouds do not protect against it.
In extreme situations, you can make a makeshift yourself glacier glasses (intended for alpine climbing), for example, from a mat. It is important to prevent sunlight (UV radiation) from reaching your eyes directly.
To avoid snow blindness, you should not look directly at the sun, no matter what altitude you are at, on sunny days it is also worth resting in a shaded or dark place from time to time.